Don't worry — this is completely normal and a good sign. It means the formula is doing its job, gently lifting dirt and everyday grime from the fibres. Natural fibres hold onto more than you might expect, even when a garment looks clean.

The formula is designed to stay in the fibre after washing, where it continues to nourish and protect — but the dirt and grime it has lifted from your garment stays suspended in the water and is removed when you take your item out. So what leaves with the water is the dirt, not the goodness.

If the water is particularly dark, simply repeat the soak with fresh water until you're happy with the result.

One thing worth knowing: if you're washing a garment for the first time, especially one in a deep or vivid colour, it's worth testing for colourfastness first by soaking a small, hidden area. Most quality natural-fibre pieces are colourfast, but it's a good habit with anything new.

In most cases, yes. Twenty minutes is enough time for the formula to work through the fibres and lift any dirt, but a longer soak won't harm most natural-fibre garments. If you've been called away and left something in the basin for longer, there's no need to worry.

That said, it's always worth checking the care label of your specific garment, as some more delicate fibres or constructions may have their own requirements.

You may notice a hint of a soapy feel when you first lift it from the basin. This is the formula doing exactly what it's designed to do. Rather than rinsing away with the water, the conditioner stays in the fibre to nourish and protect — feeding the natural fibres with the ingredients they need to stay strong and soft over time. This is fully absorbed as the garment dries, leaving nothing behind except healthy, happy fibres.

Yes. Add 15ml (around 9 pumps) directly into the machine or the detergent drawer, and wash on a wool or delicate cycle. Your garment will still be cleaned and the formula will still nourish the fibres, but we can't guarantee the full conditioning benefit as the rinse cycle will wash some of it out.

For delicate, treasured or handmade pieces, hand-washing and soaking gives the best results and the gentlest care. For everyday natural-fibre garments — a merino sweater you wear regularly, wool socks, a cotton knit — the machine works perfectly well.